Finding Balance with Nature


Often we go about our lives - driving to work, buying the newest, coolest brands, reaching for pre-made, pre-packaged, on-the-go foods for our on-the-go lives - and don't think twice about what effects those easy, quick choices have on our health and the health of our Earth. And we don't think twice, simply because we don't have time to.

But it’s time we should. Our planet is heating up too fast. Our weather is trying to restore balance and return our concrete to rubble. Our animals are dying and our health is declining. Our people are living in garbage.

This planet needs a change. But change can only happen one person at a time, like a ripple effect through a pond, slowly growing until everyone understands what great change that small differences can make.

Farmers Markets in St. Louis, Missouri


Shopping locally is a wonderful way to support your neighbors and local farmers. It can often be daunting to figure out when and where you can shop from local sources, so I've compiled this handy schedule of some local St. Louis Farmers Markets for you! You can find the Google Calendar at the bottom of this post, or go straight to it here.

Local Harvest Grocery

Aside from Farmers' Markets, one of my favorite sources for local produce, bulk goods, and other products is Local Harvest Grocery south of Tower Grove Park. It's a grocery store that's open every day, so you can simply shop as you would in any other grocery store. They have a seasonal selection of local produce, locally-made products, a bulk section that also includes spices and household products (yay!), and a little bakery counter with vegan treats to satisfy all of your delicious and nutritious food needs.

They also have Weekly Harvest subscription boxes that they assemble with goodies from local sources and have ready for you to pick up each week. They are customizable based on your diet and food preferences. How amazing is that? They even offer a 10% discount on your store purchase if you ride your bike there through the nation-wide Bicycle Benefits program, which I did not know was a thing, but am so happy that it is. Now I can put my bike basket to good use!

Joining my First Community Garden


I've finally done it! After years of keeping houseplants in tiny apartments (which is now overflowing with plants, I might add) I've finally decided to join a community garden in my city.

This was inspired in part by my ever-growing compulsion to plant and grow things, but also because of some of the Youtube channels I've been watching - check out Roots and Refuge and Bealtaine Cottage - that have me itching to grow my own food, even just a small portion, and participate in my community. And most importantly, to nurture Mama Earth.

As a preparatory effort during the frosty season still alive and well, I've been starting to research local gardens and seed libraries that I can be a part of. I've yet to decide on a specific garden location, but I've got a couple to scout out and see which works the best for me. I'll have more updates on my community gardening journey coming soon, which will all be under the "community gardening" tag on the blog.